The Idaho Credit Union League said Tuesday that its President/CEO Kathy Thomson will retire in January 2017.
Thomson is the third league CEO to announce retirement in less than a year. In December, Cornerstone Credit Union League President/CEO Dick Ensweiler said he will retire on April 30, 2017. In June, John Murphy, president/CEO of the Maine Credit Union League, said he plans to retire next year as well.
“We’ve been fortunate to have Kathy as a long-time, dedicated employee serving our Idaho credit unions for over 43 years,” Kent Oram, Idaho league board chair, said. “She brought professionalism and passion to every role she filled at the league. We celebrate her accomplishments and wish her the best upon her retirement.”
Thomson, who joined the Idaho league in 1973, held various positions and served as its vice president before accepting the president/CEO job in February 2014.
When Thomson started more than four decades ago, Idaho credit unions managed $122 million in assets. Today the state’s credit unions manage $7.2 billion in assets. What’s more, over the last 40 years, the Gem State’s credit union membership has grown from 110,000 to 738,027. Today, Idaho’s 28 credit unions serve nearly 50% of those who make Idaho their home
“I am so proud of the ways credit unions change members’ lives,” Thomson said. “I can personally attest to the impact credit unions have on the employees who serve this industry as well. It’s been a pleasure to lead the league in supporting credit unions, so they can keep all of their focus on serving their teams and their members.”
During her career, Thomson has received numerous industry honors and certifications. She also served as Idaho’s National Youth Involvement Program representative, the Credit Unions for Kids liaison, a board member on the Harland advisory board, and is currently a board member of Credit Union House.
Oram noted that with Thomson’s retirement pending, the Idaho league has been planning its future.
“After pausing appropriately to reflect on and [to] celebrate Kathy’s contributions to the rich traditions and culture of Idaho credit unions, it (the league) will soon publicly address its plans for the future,” Oram said in a prepared statement.
